Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An electromagnetic reluctance actuator comprising: a core assembly including a plurality of magnetic cores arranged in a grid pattern in a two-dimensional plane, each core comprised of ferromagnetic material and wound by a coil of conductive wire, the coils operable for producing magnetic flux in response to electrical currents flowing in the coils, wherein the current in each coil flows in a direction that is opposite the currents flowing in adjacent coils, wherein the plurality of magnetic cores includes four or more cores arranged in a symmetrical grid pattern in the two-dimensional plane; and an actuator, a portion of which comprises ferritic material magnetically coupled to the coils by a magnetic circuit, the actuator configured for producing mechanical force in response to an effect of the magnetic flux on the portion of ferritic material, the portion of ferritic material being mounted for movement relative to the core assembly.
This invention relates to an electromagnetic reluctance actuator designed to generate mechanical force through magnetic flux interaction. The actuator includes a core assembly with multiple magnetic cores arranged in a symmetrical grid pattern within a two-dimensional plane. Each core is made of ferromagnetic material and wound with a conductive wire coil, which produces magnetic flux when electrical current flows through it. The current in each coil flows in an opposite direction to the currents in adjacent coils, creating a balanced magnetic field. The core assembly contains four or more cores to ensure symmetrical magnetic flux distribution. The actuator also includes a movable portion made of ferritic material, which is magnetically coupled to the coils through a magnetic circuit. When electrical current flows through the coils, the magnetic flux interacts with the ferritic material, generating mechanical force that moves the actuator relative to the core assembly. This design leverages reluctance principles to achieve precise and controlled motion, addressing challenges in traditional electromagnetic actuators related to efficiency and force generation. The symmetrical grid arrangement and opposing coil currents enhance magnetic field uniformity and reduce interference, improving overall actuator performance.
2. The electromagnetic reluctance actuator of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is coupled to a mechanically compliant structure.
The electromagnetic reluctance actuator operates within the domain of electromechanical systems, specifically addressing the need for precise, energy-efficient motion control in applications requiring high responsiveness and minimal power consumption. The actuator leverages the principle of magnetic reluctance, where a movable armature is attracted to a stator when energized, generating controlled linear or rotational motion. This design inherently provides high force density and rapid response times, making it suitable for industrial automation, robotics, and precision positioning systems. The actuator is coupled to a mechanically compliant structure, which enhances its functionality by absorbing mechanical shocks, reducing vibration, and accommodating misalignments. The compliant structure may include flexible elements such as springs, elastomers, or compliant mechanisms that allow the actuator to operate smoothly even under dynamic loads or external disturbances. This integration improves durability, reduces wear, and ensures consistent performance in real-world applications where rigidity alone may lead to premature failure or inefficiency. The compliant coupling also enables the actuator to handle variable loads and adapt to different operational conditions without compromising precision or reliability.
3. The electromagnetic reluctance actuator of claim 2 , wherein the mechanical force is an attractive or pull force that causes the mechanically compliant structure to deflect towards the core assembly, and wherein the mechanically compliant structure provides an elastic restoring force.
This invention relates to electromagnetic reluctance actuators, which are devices that convert electrical energy into mechanical motion using magnetic reluctance principles. The problem addressed is the need for precise and controllable mechanical actuation with efficient energy use, particularly in applications requiring compact and responsive motion control. The actuator includes a core assembly and a mechanically compliant structure. The core assembly generates a magnetic field when energized, creating a reluctance force that interacts with the compliant structure. The compliant structure is designed to deflect in response to this force, providing mechanical movement. The deflection occurs as an attractive or pull force, drawing the compliant structure toward the core assembly. The compliant structure itself is elastic, meaning it provides a restoring force that opposes the deflection, allowing for controlled and reversible motion. The interaction between the magnetic force and the elastic restoring force enables precise positioning and dynamic response. The actuator can be used in applications such as micro-positioning systems, haptic feedback devices, or any system requiring controlled mechanical displacement with minimal energy consumption. The design ensures efficient energy transfer by leveraging the natural compliance of the structure, reducing the need for additional mechanical components. This approach improves reliability and simplifies the overall system design.
4. The electromagnetic reluctance actuator of claim 2 , wherein the mechanically compliant structure is a touch screen of an electronic device.
An electromagnetic reluctance actuator is used in electronic devices to provide haptic feedback through controlled mechanical motion. The actuator generates force by varying the reluctance (magnetic resistance) in a magnetic circuit, typically using an electromagnet and a movable armature. The actuator is coupled to a mechanically compliant structure, which deforms or moves in response to the actuator's force to produce tactile feedback. In this specific configuration, the mechanically compliant structure is a touch screen of an electronic device. When the actuator applies force to the touch screen, it flexes or vibrates, creating a perceptible tactile response for the user. This allows the device to simulate physical interactions, such as button presses or texture sensations, enhancing user experience. The actuator may be integrated into the device's housing or mounted beneath the touch screen, ensuring precise and responsive feedback. The system may also include control circuitry to modulate the actuator's force based on user input or application requirements, enabling dynamic haptic effects. This design is particularly useful in smartphones, tablets, and other touch-sensitive devices where space is limited, and compact, efficient feedback mechanisms are needed.
5. The electromagnetic reluctance actuator of claim 4 , wherein the portion of ferritic material is an attractive plate coupled to a display stack-up of the touch screen.
An electromagnetic reluctance actuator is used in touch screen devices to provide haptic feedback. The actuator includes a ferritic material portion that interacts with a magnetic field to generate mechanical motion. The ferritic material portion is an attractive plate directly coupled to the display stack-up of the touch screen. This coupling ensures that the actuator's motion is directly transmitted to the display, enhancing tactile feedback for the user. The actuator operates by varying the magnetic field, causing the ferritic material to move toward or away from a magnetic source, thereby creating a physical response in the display stack-up. This design improves the responsiveness and precision of haptic feedback in touch screen applications. The ferritic material's magnetic properties allow for efficient energy conversion, reducing power consumption while maintaining strong tactile feedback. The direct coupling to the display stack-up ensures minimal energy loss and maximizes the actuator's effectiveness. This technology is particularly useful in mobile devices, tablets, and other touch-sensitive interfaces where compact and efficient haptic feedback mechanisms are required.
6. A system comprising: a mechanically compliant touch screen; a core assembly including a plurality of magnetic cores arranged in a grid pattern in a two-dimensional plane, each core comprised of ferromagnetic material and wound by a coil of conductive wire, the coils operable for producing magnetic flux in response to electrical currents flowing in the coils, wherein the current in each coil flows in a direction that is opposite the currents flowing in adjacent coils; and an actuator coupled to the mechanically compliant touch screen, at least a portion of which comprises ferritic material magnetically coupled to the coils by a magnetic circuit, the actuator configured for producing a mechanical force on the touch screen in response to an effect of the magnetic flux on the portion of ferritic material, the portion of ferritic material being mounted for movement relative to the core assembly.
This invention relates to a haptic feedback system for touch screens, addressing the need for improved tactile interaction in electronic devices. The system includes a mechanically compliant touch screen that deforms in response to applied forces, enhancing user feedback. A core assembly features multiple magnetic cores arranged in a grid pattern within a two-dimensional plane. Each core is made of ferromagnetic material and wound with a conductive wire coil, generating magnetic flux when electrical currents flow through the coils. Adjacent coils carry currents in opposite directions to create a balanced magnetic field. An actuator, coupled to the touch screen, contains a ferritic material portion that interacts with the magnetic flux from the coils. This interaction produces a mechanical force on the touch screen, causing localized deformation or vibration. The ferritic material is mounted to allow movement relative to the core assembly, enabling dynamic haptic responses. The system provides precise, localized tactile feedback by controlling the magnetic flux through the coils, improving user interaction with touch screens in devices like smartphones, tablets, and other electronic interfaces.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the mechanical force is an attractive or pull force that causes the mechanically compliant touch screen to deflect towards the core assembly, and wherein the mechanically compliant touch screen provides an elastic restoring force.
A system for touch-sensitive input devices addresses the challenge of providing tactile feedback in touchscreens while maintaining durability and responsiveness. The system includes a mechanically compliant touch screen and a core assembly. The touch screen is designed to deflect in response to mechanical forces, such as user input, and provides an elastic restoring force to return to its original position. The mechanical force applied to the touch screen is an attractive or pull force, causing the touch screen to deflect toward the core assembly. This deflection generates tactile feedback, enhancing user interaction by simulating physical button presses or other haptic responses. The elastic restoring force ensures the touch screen returns to its neutral state after deformation, maintaining structural integrity and responsiveness over repeated use. The system may also include additional components, such as sensors or actuators, to detect and control the deflection and feedback mechanisms. This design improves user experience by providing realistic tactile feedback in touch-sensitive interfaces while ensuring long-term reliability.
8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the cores are cylindrical ferrite cores.
The invention relates to a system for electromagnetic interference (EMI) suppression, addressing the need for effective shielding in electronic circuits to prevent signal degradation and interference. The system includes a plurality of magnetic cores arranged to form a shield around a conductor, where the cores are positioned to create a low-reluctance path for stray magnetic fields, thereby reducing EMI. The cores are cylindrical ferrite cores, which are particularly effective due to their high permeability and ability to absorb high-frequency noise. The system may also include a housing that encloses the cores and conductor, further enhancing shielding performance. The arrangement of the cores ensures minimal disruption to the primary signal while effectively diverting unwanted electromagnetic interference. This design is particularly useful in high-frequency applications where traditional shielding methods may be insufficient. The use of ferrite cores provides a compact and efficient solution for EMI suppression, improving signal integrity in electronic devices.
9. The system of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of magnetic cores includes four or more cores arranged in a symmetrical grid pattern in the two-dimensional plane.
A system for magnetic core arrangements in a two-dimensional plane addresses the challenge of optimizing magnetic field distribution and efficiency in electromagnetic devices. The system includes multiple magnetic cores positioned in a symmetrical grid pattern, with at least four cores arranged to enhance uniformity and performance. The symmetrical layout ensures balanced magnetic flux distribution, reducing losses and improving energy transfer. The grid pattern may be square, rectangular, or another symmetrical configuration, depending on the application. The cores are typically ferromagnetic materials, such as iron or ferrite, and may be used in transformers, inductors, or other electromagnetic components. The arrangement minimizes magnetic interference and maximizes coupling efficiency, making it suitable for high-frequency or high-power applications. The system may also include additional features like shielding or cooling mechanisms to further enhance performance. This design is particularly useful in power electronics, renewable energy systems, and telecommunications, where efficient magnetic field management is critical. The symmetrical grid pattern ensures scalability, allowing for adjustments in core count and spacing to meet specific operational requirements.
10. The electromagnetic reluctance actuator of claim 1 , wherein the cores are cylindrical ferrite cores.
The invention relates to electromagnetic reluctance actuators, which are devices that convert electrical energy into mechanical motion by varying magnetic reluctance. A key challenge in these actuators is achieving precise and efficient motion control, often limited by the design and material properties of the magnetic cores. The actuator includes a stator and a rotor, where the stator has multiple cores arranged to interact with the rotor. The cores are cylindrical ferrite cores, which are lightweight, have high magnetic permeability, and exhibit low eddy current losses, making them suitable for high-frequency applications. The ferrite material ensures efficient magnetic flux concentration, reducing energy loss and improving actuator performance. The cylindrical shape of the cores allows for uniform magnetic field distribution, enhancing the actuator's linearity and responsiveness. The rotor is positioned within the stator and moves in response to changes in magnetic reluctance caused by electrical currents applied to the stator cores. The interaction between the stator cores and the rotor generates a torque or linear force, depending on the actuator's configuration. The use of ferrite cores minimizes hysteresis losses and improves thermal stability, making the actuator more reliable in varying operating conditions. This design is particularly useful in applications requiring compact, high-efficiency actuators, such as robotics, automotive systems, and precision motion control devices. The cylindrical ferrite cores contribute to a more efficient and responsive actuator, addressing limitations in traditional reluctance actuator designs.
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August 18, 2020
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